All motors are not created equal! (Courtesy of Thomas Stuart Wheels)

Confused by all the manufacturer's claims about pottery wheel throwing capacities?

You have every right to be.  Let's try to clear things up a little.  Many manufacturers are using motors rated as "peak" horsepower, not "continuous duty" horsepower.  In the picture below, both motors are rated at 1/3 hp.  Want to know the difference?

Industrial motors are "continuous duty" motors which means they are designed to run fully loaded 24 hours a day without overheating.   Peak rated motors are rated to provide power for a very short period of time (usually just a few minutes).  This information should be on the motor nameplate.

Temperature is the greatest enemy of variable speed motors.  The slower the motor turns, the more the heat builds up.  Larger motors usually have superior insulation and more windings which allow greater dissipation of  motor heat.  Check to see if the motor has an integrated fan for additional cooling.  This allows these motors to run cooler and last longer.

Be sure to get an idea of the motor's physical size before buying a wheel.  The bigger the motor is, the more torque will be available for throwing large pots.

Horsepower alone does not guarantee a smooth-running wheel.  Good electronics, together with "continuous duty" motors, allow for the maximum amount of torque per horsepower rating.  SCR controllers use microprocessors that sense the wheelhead resistance and communicate with the motor several times per second to make necessary adjustments to assure smooth speed consistency and maximum torque.

With all Thomas Stuart Wheels, you can be assured of years of maintenance free service with the highest torque output on the market today.